the HOT List

As a "blackout" of Cox stations on Dish began in late November, one accusation of CMG from Dish was particularly fiery and involved TEGNA. Was Dish accurate in its version of the retrans impasse? Yes, it seems. Standard General says no CMG stations will be included in TEGNA retrans negotiations. Even so, the ATVA, of which Dish is a member, wants the deal killed.

Legendary radio personality and programmer Scott Shannon and co-host Patty Steele hosted their final show for Audacy Corp.'s Classic Hits WCBS-FM in New York on Friday, concluding an 8 1/2 year run that came after Shannon's first "retirement," from former Hot Adult Contemporary WPLJ. The focus was on fundraising and supporting a children's hospital, and not on their exit.

On Tuesday, it appeared that the latest retransmission consent dispute was all but ready to rear its ugly head, resulting in a "blackout" of such stations as WPXI-11 in Pittsburgh and WFXT-25 in Boston. As daylight came on Friday, so did an announcement from Cox Media Group media relations: A new deal has been reached with a regional MVPD with a footprint in two of its markets.

The E.W. Scripps Co. on Thursday confirmed the launch of a new division to be named Scripps Sports. Chosen to lead the new division is the individual who has led the Local Media arm of Scripps for 13 years.

On December 20, 2021, the company's shares, traded on the NYSE, reached $17.70 per share. By mid-July, FUBO had fallen to just above $2.50 per share. Now, fuboTV stock is at a fresh all-time low, as investors reacted to news from the company that it has been the victim of a cyberattack.

A longtime Univision Radio executive has accepted the newly created role of VP/GM for Salem Media Group's soon-to-be-acquired AM radio stations in Miami. They'll compete against the likes of her former employer's AMs on target for purchase by Latino Media Network, in addition to Spanish-language spoken word leader Actualidad Radio and conservative-leading "Caracol 1260" in a crowded marketplace. 

The owner of a pair of radio stations and their respective FM translators is retiring at the end of 2022. A local buyer is being sought. If unsuccessful, they'll be silenced, with paperwork submitted at the FCC signaling their formal demise.

Castelli Media, led by Vince Castelli, has been actively engaged in transactions involving low-power TV stations. The same can be said of the licensee funded and backed by company chairman Manoj Bhargava, the creator of 5-hour ENERGY, and led by CEO Vince Bodiford. Now, both organizations have come together and agreed to a deal. But, which entity is the buyer? 

Nexstar Media Group's NBC affiliate serving Georgia's Coastal Empire is warning viewers of a possible "black out" due to retransmission consent negotiations between the TV station owner and the provider. It's a scenario playing out in other markets where Xfinity and Nexstar have a presence.

Once every U.S. market gets NEXTGEN TV, could it be too late? While that's perhaps an outlandish question to some in broadcast television, news from the U.K. that all TV output will be available exclusively online within the next 10 years or so is a startling reminder that 6G discussions are already underway in Washington, D.C. — and that the next iteration of wireless technology could hurry the obsolesce of broadcast signals.

With the voluntary rollout of ATSC 3.0 and NEXTGEN TV, the desire to have a digital UHF facility, which provides better market coverage than a VHF channel, is more important than ever. That explains why Gray Television seeks FCC approval to shift two of its stations in the Lone Star State to more optimal UHF channels.

The National Defense Authorization Act, released Tuesday evening, did not note the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act across its mammoth 4,408-page text. This sets up a do-or-die scenario for the legislation that Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar spent months seeking to emerge from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In a questionable voice vote, the American Music Fairness Act emerged from the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Democrat Jerrold Nadler, and is now up for a floor vote by the full House of Representatives. Should Radio be concerned? Yes, but not alarmed, as Ranking Member Jim Jordan says the bill is DOA.

He previously led ARK Multicasting. Today, Vern Fotheringham has decided to partner up with Greg Herman by forging a 60/40 partnership that involves a transfer of control of several LPTVs to a new licensee.

Westwood One, today owned by Cumulus Media, was the brainchild of Norm Pattiz. He would go on to enjoy a lengthy career in radio and in podcasting, which included the short-lived but widely remembered launch of "Pirate Radio" in 1989. Pattiz died on December 4 at the age of 79.